All posts filed under: Blog

Getting Ready

Published by Sula H.

The end is near. The end of the winter break, that is. I can tell because of all the changes that are going on on campus. … Like the washing of the streets and squares they did yesterday. Yes, that’s right! They were scrubbing all the major roads and walkways. After all, streets and squares need bath-days, too, i presume! … Or like the number of students carrying their little suitcases around campus. That number of suitcase-carrying students is increasing daily, and so are the number of folks just hanging around campus. And so are the number of students gathering around the basketball facilities (and tennis court for that matter – yay for me!). Soon, our campus will be hustling and bustling again, and I’m not sure whether I’m excited about the return of the students, or rather sad that soon there’ll be no more quiet corner on campus! Anyways, the end is near, and I’d better make the most of my last days of the winter break!

Bad Showering Moments

Published by Sula H.

Bad showering moments are those moments in which you stand in the shower, and while you’re scrubbing away, doing whatever needs to be done, slowly but steadily the water ceases to flow. Of course, even worse than that is it when you’re fully covered with soap, and the water stops coming entirely. I’ve had my fair share of such moments happening to me – and not only once. So I speak from experience. Which is why I feel that I’m quite qualified to write about it. And it is also why I feel like I’m aptly suited to define such instants as “bad” showering moments. I’m an expert, you see. And a  man of experience, they say, is never at the mercy of a man with an argument. A statement that I have find to be quite true – except for one part, of course: I’m not a man! But I do have experience. At least when it comes to bad showering moments!

Happy New Year!

Published by Sula H.

… at least in these parts of the world. It’s Spring Festival! Which means, little sleep, lots of fire crackers, and of course everything shuts down around here for basically two weeks (though I’m glad the big supermarkets will only be closed for about 2 days!). At any rate, I got myself prepared again, for the big fireworks display right in front of my building. And lo and behold, I wasn’t disappointed. Shortly before midnight, the guards began to set up their boxes with all the fireworks, which was my cue, too. This year, I was a little better prepared – all bundled up warmly, I seated myself on a stool on my balcony all ready to shoot away myself (shooting pictures, that is). The only disappointment: I didn’t expect the grand display to be over so soon. (Last year, it took them at least half an hour to fire up all that they had set up down there.) But this year, I was just getting warmed up with my photo shooting when it was …

Snow Drama

Published by Sula H.

I like snow. In fact, I’ve been waiting for some decent snow here for more than two years. Now, I’m fully aware that not everyone likes snow as much as I do (as some of my dear colleagues lovingly keep pointing out to me), but still: Snow is a fine thing. In my eyes at least. And when it started snowing these last couple of days, I was getting my hopes up: Maybe we’ll get a decent winter this year after all! But alas! While it was snowing these last couple of days, it wasn’t actually cold enough for those white little flakes to stick around. And then today as I was on my way to breakfast, I made an observation. Or rather, it was two observations that I made, to be a little more exact: Observation #1: It’s freezing cold outside! In fact, it’s so cold that all the puddles from the recent snowfall have been freezing, and even the ponds around campus have a beautiful layer of ice! See the proof here:   …

Fun with Chinglish: Screw Up the Lid

Published by Sula H.

Make sure you read the directions carefully. Or else you may not know how to perfectly screw up the lid! Note: When posting anything in the Fun with Chinglish section, I don’t mean to show disrespect towards anything or anyone in any way. I’m simply sharing the fun we get to have with all those great signs & documents!

Hot Water Days

Published by Sula H.

It’s cold outside. So cold, in fact,  that on and off it’s been snowing these days. Not that we actually get to have some snowy-white winder wonderland, but it’s at least cold enough to be shivering all over, if you don’t know how to keep warm. The best way to stay warm (and healthy for that matter) is to drink lots of hot water – at least according to the Chinese and their traditions! How many times have I been kindly reminded by my students, friends, and any other locals who are good enough to share their wisdom with me: “Drink more hot water! It’s good for your healthy!” And after hesitatingly trying out what plain heated water might taste like, I must admit: There is some truth to that old wisdom – a cup of hot water can do a thing or two indeed to keep you warm on a cold winter’s day, esp. when there’s nothing else to be had; and so I may pass on that old wisdom to you now: Drink …

Food Corner: Grits Porridge

Published by Sula H.

Let’s talk about breakfast for once. A very typical breakfast meal in China contains among other things some kind of porridge. There are many different kinds of porridge, most of which taste very bland since they contain nothing more than water and some kind of grain. This particular one is made with with grits, and it tastes just like a little more than boiled water.

Back in Business

Published by Sula H.

After the long delay, I’m quite excited to announce that: We are back in business! The move took a lot longer than we ever anticipated, but now I should be able to get back to the routine very quickly, I hope! Thanks for your patience in bearing with us.